Universal adaptor for mounting a signal device and/or directional indicator on a manually actuated quarterturn valve

Abstract

A universal adaptor for easily and efficiently mounting a signal device and/or directional indicator on the shafts of most manually actuated quarterturn valves and a method of securing a variety of signal devices and/or directional indicators to a variety of manually actuated quarterturn valves. The universal adaptor includes a cylinder mounted in a hollow adaptor housing. The cylinder is rotatable in the housing by operating a handle connected to the cylinder and extending outwardly through a radial slot in the adaptor housing. An interchangeable insert is positionable in a bottom opening in the cylinder. The insert has a bore which can be selected to engage a desired valve shaft. The universal adaptor is mounted to a valve by inserting an appropriate insert into the cylinder and then securing the adaptor housing to the valve shaft housing. The invented adaptor also includes a top mounting plate that enables the invented adaptor to couple a variety of signal devices and/or directional indicators to the valve shaft. A signal device and/or directional indicator is mounted on the universal adaptor by securing the signal device and/or directional indicator to an appropriate top mounting plate and then securing the top mounting plate to the adaptor housing. A second interchangeable insert may be used to adapt the top mounting plate to the cylinder. The invented universal adaptor allows "off the shelf" mounting of a signal device and/or directional indicator to a manually actuated quarterturn valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A universal adaptor for mounting a signal device and directional indicator on a manually actuated quarterturn valve having a valve shaft, associated valve shaft coupling and a valve shaft housing, said adaptor comprising: a hollow adaptor housing;   a cylinder rotatably positioned in said adaptor housing, said cylinder comprising:   a top end having a top surface; said top end comprising a recess formed in the top surface; and   a bottom end comprising a notched bottom opening for receiving said valve shaft coupling and   for coupling said cylinder to the manually actuated quarterturn valve shaft;   means, associated with said adapter housing for coupling said cylinder to at least one of the devices of the group consisting of signal devices and directional indicators; and   a radially extending handle connected to said cylinder for rotating said cylinder in said housing;   wherein operating said handle rotates said cylinder in said adaptor housing thereby simultaneously rotating the valve shaft and changing an output from the at least one coupled device by causing said coupled device to rotate simultaneously with the valve shaft in the adaptor housing.   
     
     
       2. The universal adaptor of claim 1 wherein said adaptor housing comprises: a top for positioning said means for coupling, said top having a plurality of threaded openings for receiving fasteners therein;   a radial slot for receiving said handle therethrough; and   a bottom for securing the valve shaft housing to said adaptor housing, said bottom having a plurality of threaded openings for receiving fasteners therein.   
     
     
       3. The universal adaptor of claim 2 wherein said means for coupling comprises a top mounting plate secured to said top of said adaptor housing. 
     
     
       4. The universal adaptor of claim 3 wherein said top mounting plate comprises: a central opening; and   a shaft positioned in said central opening, said shaft engaging the at least one of the devices of the group consisting of signal devices and directional indicators.   
     
     
       5. The universal adaptor of claim 4 wherein said means for coupling further comprises an interchangeable insert positionable between the bottom end of said shaft of said top mounting plate and said recess of said top end of said cylinder. 
     
     
       6. The universal adaptor of claim 4 wherein said shaft of said top mounting plate engages said recess in the top surface of said cylinder. 
     
     
       7. The universal adaptor of claim 4 wherein said top mounting plate further comprises a plurality of threaded openings for receiving fasteners therethrough, said plurality of threaded openings of said top mounting plate alignable with said plurality of threaded openings of said top of said adaptor housing. 
     
     
       8. The universal adaptor of claim 2 wherein said radial slot comprises a plurality of notches intermittently formed along the periphery of said radial slot for catching said handle. 
     
     
       9. The universal adaptor of claim 8 wherein said handle is movably positioned in said radial slot in said adaptor housing. 
     
     
       10. The universal adaptor of claim 9 wherein said cylinder further comprises: a spring;   a vertical bore formed in the top surface of said top end for receiving said spring; and   a radially extending opening for receiving said handle therethrough.   
     
     
       11. The universal adaptor of claim 10 wherein said spring contacts the end of said handle received by said radially extending opening of said cylinder and biases said handle against one of said plurality of notches of said radial slot. 
     
     
       12. The universal adaptor of claim 2 further comprising a bottom plate for flush mounting said adaptor housing to the valve shaft housing, said bottom plate having a plurality of threaded openings for receiving fasteners therethrough, said openings of said bottom plate alignable with said openings of said adaptor housing. 
     
     
       13. The universal adaptor of claim 1 wherein said valve shaft coupling comprises an interchangeable keyed cylindrical insert positionable in said notched bottom opening in said cylinder, said insert having a bore for engaging the valve shaft. 
     
     
       14. The universal adaptor of claim 1 further comprising an antifriction sleeve positioned around said bottom end of said cylinder for assisting the rotation of said cylinder in said adaptor housing.